JP6948972B2 - Shift-by-wire speed change actuator - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a shift-by-wire transmission, more particularly a shift with a selection knob that can be rotated by the user to select one of a plurality of shift positions for controlling the vehicle transmission. -Regarding bi-wire transmission actuators.

The present disclosure further relates to a shift-by-wire transmission comprising the actuator. Also disclosed herein is a method of notifying the user that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position when the determined state is satisfied.

(background)
Rotatable selector mechanisms for automotive transmissions operated by shift-by-wire are known in the art with rotary actuators. The rotary actuator is now rotated by the driver to select different operating shift positions for the transmission, such as park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D). ing.

When the driver rotates the rotary actuator, a control signal indicating a desired operating shift position is transmitted to the transmission via a control unit for controlling the vehicle transmission.

Safety measures are also provided to warn the user to always select a park before leaving the vehicle. They may be provided with means for outputting warning messages and voices, for example, when the door is open and the vehicle is not parked. However, it has been found that the driver still leaves the vehicle without checking to ensure that the park position is selected, impairing safety.

To alleviate this problem, modern shift-by-wire transmissions in automobiles are equipped with an automatic park function, also known as a return function to the park. The purpose of the automatic park function is to automatically shift the vehicle transmission to the park position when the vehicle condition is satisfied, and to keep the vehicle stationary under the condition. Non-limiting examples of conditions in which the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park position are, for example, when the occupant is about to leave the vehicle, when the vehicle is powered off, or when the ignition key is removed. For example, when the vehicle door is open or when the safety belt is removed. When at least one of the above conditions is detected, the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park position and at the same time the rotary actuator is driven into the park by the electric motor so that the driver is activating the automatic park function. Recognize that.

Therefore, even if the driver forgets to park the rotary actuator before leaving the vehicle in the above condition, the user is extra to ensure that the vehicle derailleur is always in the park, i.e., braking position. Safety function is given. As a result, damage to automobiles, other vehicles, or people, animals, objects, etc. is avoided.

However, the drawbacks are still related to such known rotatable electrical mechanisms with automatic park function related to the complexity of the transmission mechanism. An electric motor is required to drive the rotary actuator into the park when at least one of the above conditions is detected. This adds manufacturing and operational complexity to the vehicle shift-by-wire assembly, increasing costs. As a result, when a known rotatable selection mechanism, particularly a multi-stable automatic park function with an automatic park function, is activated, an asynchrony between the electric motor of the rotary actuator and the transmission is provided in the transmission assembly. It can occur due to the end of the traveling member.

(Overview)
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved shift-by-wire speed change actuator that overcomes or at least minimizes the above problems. A shift-by-wire device with such an actuator and a method of notifying that the vehicle's transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position when a determined condition is met are Further disclosed herein.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a shift-by-wire speed change actuator with a selection knob is provided. The selection knob is of a type that can rotate between multiple angular positions corresponding to different shift positions. Specifically, the selection knob can be rotated by the user to select one of a plurality of shift positions, such as park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D). Is. Of course, other shift positions are also possible.

The selection knob may be of the multi-dial type, that is, the selection knob can be freely rotated in any direction and one can be selected from a plurality of shift positions that control the vehicle transmission. , The number of shift positions is not defined in advance because it changes with software over time.

In other cases, the selection knob may be monostable, i.e., from the starting position to the switching position when one of a plurality of shifting positions for controlling the shifting of the vehicle is selected. It may rotate and automatically return to the starting position.

The shift-by-wire speed change actuator of the present disclosure further comprises a display device. This display device may be of any suitable type, among other things, for displaying information about the automatic park function. More specifically, the display device is associated with a selection knob and is configured to continuously and dynamically provide an optical display depending on the shift position. The optical display, which is sequentially and dynamically provided to the user, corresponds to a shift position in which the transmission must be driven until it reaches the park.

According to another function of the shift-by-wire speed change actuator, the optical display is sequentially and dynamically provided by the display device, so that the rotational movement of the selection knob is simulated and determined. When is satisfied, that is, when the automatic park function is activated, the user notifies that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park. This is whether the selection knob is activated by the driver, that is, the selection knob may not be driven, but the display still provides a sequential and dynamic optical display to the user simulating the rotational movement of the selection knob. offer. Therefore, the user is notified that the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park.

This display device eliminates the need for an electric motor to drive the actuator. Complexity, and thus cost, is beneficially reduced compared to known shift-by-wire transmissions.

A further advantage is that when the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park, the shift-by-wire derailleur actuator is further software driven to the park, thus avoiding asynchrony with respect to the derailleur. Specifically, according to the present disclosure, when the vehicle transmission is automatically parked, shift-by-wire, because the selection knob is not driven by a motor like a conventional transmission during the automatic park function. The transmission actuator is further software driven by the park. In this way, both the vehicle transmission and the speed change actuator are synchronized. When the driver later wants to activate the vehicle shift to drive the vehicle again, the shift actuator is always parked after the condition is met, for example after leaving the vehicle and then re-entering the vehicle.

Although not required, the user may be informed about the shifting position of the vehicle transmission until the park is reached. For this purpose, the display device may further include a shift display indicating the shift position.

When a given condition is detected, for example by a sensor installed in the vehicle, the central part automatically outputs a signal to the park to drive the vehicle derailleur, but the selection knob is not driven, i.e. the selection knob It remains stationary. However, the user is notified that the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven into the park under the above conditions.

The condition is such that the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park shift position and the optical display is sequentially and dynamically provided by a display device that simulates the rotational movement of the selection knob, as the occupant attempts to leave the vehicle. At least one selected from when the vehicle is powered off, when the ignition key is removed, when the vehicle door is open, when the safety belt is removed, and so on.

Conveniently, the display has multiple displays located on a selection knob configured to switch on sequentially according to different shift positions until the park is reached when the auto-park function is activated. Can be prepared. The display may be a separate display or part of a continuous display, and is arranged and configured to simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob. Although it is fixed, it automatically notifies the user that the vehicle transmission is being driven into the park.

An example of a display device can include a travel band arranged on a selection knob arranged to sequentially display different shift positions. Other configurations are not excluded as long as they simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob. The display can be arranged around the selection knob, for example around the selection knob. It may be preferable that the display device includes a plurality of LCD display units. Other display configurations, such as LEDs, are possible as long as the user is properly notified that the automatic park function is activated as described above.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an automotive shift-by-wire shifter device is also disclosed herein. The shift-by-wire shifter device can include a housing and a bezel that covers the housing. The shift-by-wire shifter device further comprises a device that automatically drives the vehicle transmission to the park shift position when a determined condition is met. Such determined conditions are, for example, when the occupant is about to leave the vehicle, when the vehicle is powered off, when the ignition key is removed, when the vehicle door is opened, and when the safety belt is disengaged. At least one can be selected from time to time. The shift-by-wire shifter device includes the shift-by-wire speed change actuator described above. The actuator selection knob may be rotatably attached to the bezel. The display device in this case can be arranged around the bezel. In this way, the display may still be arranged so as to surround the selection knob, but may be arranged on the bezel.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of notifying that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position when the determined condition is satisfied is also described herein. .. The determined conditions are, for example, when the occupant is about to leave the vehicle, when the vehicle is powered off, when the ignition key is removed, when the vehicle door is open, and when the safety belt is unfastened. It can be at least one selected from time to time.

This method includes detecting the shift position of a vehicle transmission such as park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N), drive (D) and the like. The method also includes detecting the determined condition described above.

For example, when a sensor installed in the vehicle determines that the vehicle is in the above state and the transmission is not parked, the automatic park function is activated. This means that the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven to the park from the current derailleur position. At the same time, the shift-by-wire speed change actuator is further software driven to the park while the selection knob is still in place. Along with this, the remaining shift positions are also rearranged.

The optical information is then determined to be dynamically provided according to different shift positions. The dynamically provided optical information simulates the rotational movement of the selection knob until the park shift position is reached. The method further comprises displaying the optical information via the shift described above by a shift-by-wire speed change actuator.

As mentioned above, the selection knob is still in place during the auto-park function, but may be locked by the brake coil, for example when parked. Next, if the user wants to drive the vehicle again, it is necessary to perform a combination of at least two actions to unlock the vehicle transmission from the park shift position.

The order of the above steps may of course be different.

Additional objectives, advantages and functions of the examples of shift-by-wire speed change actuators of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description, or may be mastered by their practice.

(A brief description of the drawing)
A shift-by-wire shift actuator according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a shift-by-wire shifter device including the shift actuator, and a vehicle transmission are automatically driven to a park shift position. The method of notifying will be described below as a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

1 to 9 are schematic perspective views of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure, in which shift positions P, R, N, and D are set to different shift positions P, R, N, and D while the automatic park function is activated until the park shift position is reached. It is illustrated.
It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of a shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to the present disclosure.

(Detailed explanation of the example)
As an example, a shift-by-wire transmission actuator for controlling an automobile transmission, which is shown in its entirety by reference number 100, is shown in the drawings. As described below, the actuator 100 is one of the shift-by-wire shifter devices having an automatic park function for automatically driving the vehicle transmission to the park shift position when the determined state is satisfied. It may be a department.

Specifically, the shift-by-wire speed change actuator 100 of the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is a part of the rotary multi-dial shifter, and includes a selection knob 110, a bezel 115, and a housing 116. .. The selection knob 110 is rotatably attached to the bezel 115 of the housing 116. Therefore, the selection knob 110 selects one of a plurality of shift positions, such as park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D), in order to control the vehicle transmission. It is rotatable to do.

According to the illustrated example, the shift-by-wire speed change actuator 100 includes a display device 200. The display device 200 is associated with the selection knob 110, as further described below. The display device 200 includes a plurality of LCD display units 210 arranged so as to surround the selection knob 110, that is, radially distributed around the selection knob 110 as shown in the figure. Other display devices such as LEDs are also possible as long as the user is properly notified that the autopark function has been activated as described above. In any case, the display unit 210 can be configured to provide continuous light, flashing light, flash light and combinations thereof. Further, the display unit 210 may be configured in the form of a cursor, or may be a continuous illumination strip.

In the illustrated example, the display unit 210 sequentially and dynamically provides optical displays according to shift positions (P, R, N, D) when the automatic park function is activated. It works to switch on. This allows the ignition key when the auto-park function is activated, i.e. when the vehicle derailleur is automatically driven into the park, for example when the occupant is about to leave the vehicle and the vehicle is powered off. The selection knob 110 is still stationary, such as when the selection knob 110 is removed, when the vehicle door is open, when the safety belt is removed, etc., but provides the user with the effect of rotational movement of the selection knob 110.

An LCD shift display 220 for displaying the current gear to the user is also provided. The LCD shift display 220 is located in the center of the upper part of the selection knob 110. However, the shift indicator 220 may be located at another position, such as the bezel 115, or on the dashboard of the vehicle.

The wire speed change actuator 100 operates as follows, for example. When the occupant is about to leave the vehicle, when the vehicle is powered off, when the ignition key is removed, when the vehicle door is open, when the safety belt is removed, for example, the central part is now A shift-by-wire shifting actuator at the same time, for example, when a given condition is detected by a sensor mounted on the vehicle, such as when outputting a signal to drive the vehicle transmission from the shifting position of The 100 is further software driven by the park P and the selection knob 100 is still in place. Further, while the selection knob 110 is still stationary, that is, in a state where the selection knob 110 is not rotated, the display unit 210 is sequentially turned on around the selection knob 110 (alternately turns on around the selection knob 110 of FIGS. 1 to 9 in the drawing). (Refer to the display unit 210 in the form of a cursor for switching off), while the shift position displayed by the shift display 220 changes from one shift position to another as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 of the drawing. Will be changed sequentially. This provides the user with the optical effect that the selection knob 110 returns to the park P and rotates from the last shift position.

It also describes how to warn the user that the automatic park function of the vehicle derailleur is activated. As mentioned above, when the occupant is about to leave the vehicle, when the vehicle is powered off, when the ignition key is removed, when the vehicle door is open, when the safety belt is removed, etc. When the condition is satisfied, the purpose of this method is to notify the user that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position P.

This method detects the shift position of a transmission such as park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D) by a sensor installed in the shift-by-wire transmission actuator 100, for example. Including that. According to this method, the determined state described above is detected, for example, by means of a sensor installed in the vehicle. When the determined state is detected and it is detected that the vehicle derailleur is not in the park P, the different shift positions of the selection knob 110 before reaching the park shift position P between the current shift position and the park. Optical information that is dynamically displayed to the user in response to is then determined. This can include, for example, determining the illumination that displays the guide traces for the actuator 100. When the park P is reached, the selection knob 110 is automatically locked in place.

In any case, the optical information displayed to the user has the effect of simulating the rotational movement of the selection knob 110 until the park P is reached. Finally, the optical information is displayed to the user via the display unit 210 described above in the display device 200.

Only a plurality of specific embodiments and embodiments of the shift-by-wire speed change actuator, a speed changer comprising said actuator, and a method of notifying the user of the automatic park function of the speed changer are disclosed herein. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other alternative examples and / or uses, as well as obvious modifications and their equivalents are possible. The present disclosure includes all possible combinations of the particular examples described. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any particular example and should only be determined by a fair reading of the following claims.

The reference symbols associated with the drawings in parentheses of the claim are intended to enhance the clarity of the claim and do not limit the scope of the claim.

Claims (15)

Select at least one of a plurality of shift positions for controlling the vehicle transmission: park shift position (P), reverse shift position (R), neutral shift position (N), and drive shift position (D). With a rotatable selection knob,
They are sequentially arranged according to the plurality of shift positions associated with the select knob to sequentially and dynamically provide an optical display according to the plurality of shift positions so as to have the effect of simulating the rotational movement of the select knob. A display device including a plurality of display units, and notifies the user that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position (P) when the determined state is satisfied. With the display device
Equipped with a,
The rotational movement is displayed by the plurality of display units, and is displayed by the plurality of display units.
The plurality of display units include at least two display units for each of the plurality of shift positions in order to simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob.
Shift-by-wire speed change actuator. The plurality of display units include at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P) in order to simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob.
The first display unit of the at least two display units with respect to the drive shift position (D) is the third display unit of the at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P). ,
When the determined state is satisfied when the current shift position is the drive shift position (D), the first of the at least two display units with respect to the drive shift position (D). The plurality of display units are displayed first, and then the third display unit among the at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P) is displayed last. Turns on sequentially,
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. The plurality of display units are arranged on the selection knob, and the plurality of display units are arranged on the selection knob .
The display device further includes a shift display (220) indicating the shift position in the center of the upper part of the selection knob.
The plurality of display units are arranged so as to surround the shift display (220).
The plurality of display units are arranged around the shift display (220).
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. The plurality of display units are separated display units.
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 3. The display device comprises a traveling band arranged on the selection knob configured to sequentially display different shift positions.
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. The determination that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park shift position (P) and the optical display is sequentially and dynamically provided by the display device that simulates the rotational movement of the selection knob. The state is
When the occupant tries to get out of the vehicle
When the vehicle is turned off
When the ignition key is removed
When the vehicle door is open and when the safety belt is removed
At least one selected from
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. The selection knob is a multi-dial type or a monostable type.
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. The display device further includes a shift display for indicating the current shift position.
The shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. An automobile shift-by-wire shifter device including a device for automatically driving a vehicle transmission to a park shifting position (P) when a determined state is satisfied.
The automobile shift-by-wire shifter device further comprising the shift-by-wire speed change actuator according to claim 1. With bezel
The selection knob is rotatably attached to the bezel and
The display device is arranged around the bezel.
The automobile shift-by-wire shifter device according to claim 9. The determined state is
When the occupant tries to leave the vehicle
When the vehicle power is turned off
When the ignition key is removed
When the vehicle door is open and when the safety belt is removed
At least one selected from
The automobile shift-by-wire shifter device according to claim 9. To select at least one of the park shift position (P), reverse shift position (R), neutral shift position (N), and drive shift position (D) when the determined condition is met. using rotatable knob a method of notifying that the vehicle transmission is automatically driven to the park gear position (P),
Detecting the shift position,
To detect the determined state,
To simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob until the reach the park gear position (P), according to different shift positions, via a plurality of display portions, determining the optical information provided dynamically, And the plurality of to simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob via the shift-by-wire transmission actuator when the vehicle is in the determined state and the vehicle transmission is not in the park. for each shift position, less by the plurality of display unit including two display, displaying the optical information,
The method comprising. The plurality of display units include at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P) in order to simulate the rotational movement of the selection knob.
The first display unit of the at least two display units with respect to the drive shift position (D) is the third display unit of the at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P). ,
When the determined state is satisfied when the current shift position is the drive shift position (D), the first of the at least two display units with respect to the drive shift position (D). The plurality of display units are displayed first, and then the third display unit among the at least three display units with respect to the park shift position (P) is displayed last. Turns on in sequence,
The method according to claim 12. 12. The method of claim 12 , further comprising locking the selection knob of the shift-by-wire speed change actuator when the park shift position is reached. The determined state is
When the occupant tries to leave the vehicle
When the vehicle power is turned off
When the ignition key is removed
When the vehicle door is open and when the safety belt is removed
The method according to claim 12 , wherein the method is at least one selected from the above.

Images